Weldon Police Chief Mark Macon said Rodney Lamont Bell, 52, faces two counts of felony larceny, two counts of misdemeanor larceny and two counts of possession of stolen goods.
He was jailed on $10,000 secured bond after being arrested Thursday by Lieutenant Roy Rooks of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office. Bell was on the grounds of the Halifax County Courthouse when he was arrested, Macon said this evening.
Warrants were issued for the arrest of an alleged accomplice, John Isaac Smith, 52.
Bell and Smith allegedly stole 10 newspaper racks — nine News and Observer boxes and one from the Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald.
The one belonging to the Herald was the only one recovered. It is estimated Bell and Smith netted $50 per rack by allegedly selling them for scrap.
Macon said surveillance footage of a vehicle believed to be involved in the thefts was crucial in getting a stream of leads in the case.
Investigation by Sergeant Emmett Smith, Captain James and Lieutenant Chris Davis led to the arrest of Bell and the warrant for Smith.
